SCAN
DECEMBER 2015
DEADLINES TO CUT OUT AND KEEP!
SCAN 2016
MONTHDEADLINEedition number
February 18 January459
March 16 February460
April 19 March461
May 18 April462
June 18 May463
July 17 June464
August 18 July465
September17 August466
October 17 September467
November18 October468
December17 November469
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DEADLINE:
Copy forFEBRUARY 2016 SCAN – 18TH JANUARY
THE EDITOR, Mrs. Betty Feasey MBE,
13 School Lane, Sherington, MK16 9NF Tel 01908 611587
OR hard copy can be put in the SCAN box (next to front door at No. 13).
Views expressed in SCAN are those of the contributors and not necessarily shared by the Editor
.TREASURER AND ADVERTISING MANAGER
Mrs. Christine Barry – Tel 01234 391328
TO OUR READERS, CORRESPONDENTS, ADVERTISERS,
AND TO ALL WHO HELP IN ANY WAY TO PRODUCE, DELIVER, OR DONATE TO SCAN, WE WISH A JOYOUS CHRISTMAS AND
A HAPPY, HEALTHY NEW YEAR
Betty -Christine -
EditorTreasurer & Advertising
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS
DAVID, SHARRON, OLI & TOM WRIGHT
HOPE THAT YOU ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS
AND WISH YOU A HAPPY, HEALTHY, FUN-FILLED 2016!
In lieu of cards, we will make a donation
to the Neonatal Unit atMilton KeynesHospital in memory of our little star.
Michael and Christine Bearman wish all their friends and neighbours in the SCAN group of villages
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and A HAPPY NEW YEAR
(a donation will be made to Willen Hospice in lieu of Christmas cards)
PAUL, MAXINE, GEORGE & HARRY O’DELL
WISH ALL THEIR FRIENDS
A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS
AND A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR
(A donation will be sent to Willen Hospice)
A very Happy Christmas and New Year
To all our friends in SCAN Parish
John and Jill
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS AND BEST WISHES FOR 2016
TO FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS IN
NORTH CRAWLEY AND THE SCANVILLAGES
from Riki Fay
Donation will be sent to Willen Hospice
DAPHNE & MAC
WISH FAMILY, FRIENDS & NEIGHBOURS
IN SHERINGTON & NORTH CRAWLEY
A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR
Donations to SCAN and Friends of St Firmins
SHARYN AND NIGEL
would like to wish all our friendsin Sherington
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS
AND A PROSPEROUS NEWYEAR
Donation to Scan
TO ALL OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS
WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND
A PEACEFUL NEW YEAR
Barbara and Ro
Donation to SCAN in lieu of Christmas cards
JOY AND JOHN OSGOOD
Wish all SCAN readers
A Happy and Blessed Christmas and New Year
SEASONS GREETINGS TO ONE AND ALL,
BE THEY NEAR OR FAR,
FROM TIM AT NUMBER 27
“AND ALL THE BELLS ON EARTH SHALL RING”
A Very Happy Christmas and Peaceful New Year
From All at Yew Tree Farm, Sherington
BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY CHRISTMAS
AND A PEACEFUL 2016
TO ALL FRIENDS IN SHERINGTON,
CHICHELEY AND NORTH CRAWLEY
Many thanks again for all the support I have
received during 2015. Sheila Quinn
Christmas Greetings And Best Wishes For 2016
to friends in Sherington and in the SCAN villages
from David Hyde
Donation to Willen Hospice instead of sending cards locally
To my friends and neighbours of North Crawley,
I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and
Best Wishes for the New Year
Phyllis Couch
Donation to SCAN
SEASONS GREETINGS TO ALL FRIENDS
AND NEIGHBOURS IN
NORTH CRAWLEY AND ASTWOOD
fromALICE PEACOCK
Donation to SCAN
Mark, Helen, Jessica and Doug Vale
would like to wish you all
a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,
Hoping all the best for you, along with a festive cheer!
Christmas Greetings to all friends and neighbours
in North Crawleyand the Scan villages
from Christine Barry
Donation to Willen Hospice in lieu of Christmas cards
John and Kim Durden
would like to wish everyone in the SCAN Villages
a Very Happy Christmas and Health and Happiness in the New Year.
We are making donations to Willen and SCAN this year
in lieu of Christmas Cards, hope no one minds!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
to all our neighbours and friends
in the SCAN area and further afield.
from KayandOllie
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS AND BEST WISHES
TO ALL MY KIND FRIENDS
WHO HELP ME BEAR THE TRIALS OF OLD AGE
Doris Stephens
Donation to SCAN
WE WISH ALL FRIENDS IN SCAN PARISH
A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS
AND PEACEFUL NEW YEAR
Doris Collier and Family
Donation to SCAN
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR GREETINGS
FROM PEARL TEASDALE in SHERINGTON
TO GOOD FRIENDS IN THE SCAN PARISH
Best wishes for a glorious Christmas and blessings for the New Year, which I sincerely hope will be a peaceful one.
JUDY & ALAN PLATER
send ‘Greetings for Christmas’
to all friends and folk in CHICHELEY & SCAN villages
(Donations made (in lieu of cards) to Hillside Animal Sanctuary and SCAN)
Robin and Viv Storey
Send all their friends in the village
Very Best Wishes
for a
Wonderful Christmas and a
Happy New Year
SCAN IS GRATEFUL FOR DONATIONS RECEIVED
THIS MONTH FROM READERS IN OLNEY & CHICHELEY
AND
ALL THOSE WHO HAVE THOUGHT OF US DURING THIS FESTIVE SEASON -.
Everyone concerned with producing SCAN are volunteers
(including the Editor, and Treasurer/Advertising Manager).
We rely on our advertising revenue and donations to meet the printing costs every month -
YOUR DONATIONS REALLY DO HELP TO KEEP OUR PARISH MAGAZINE GOING
SCAN 458
Dear Readers,
Are you dreaming of a White Christmas? I’m fairly sure most of you will know the tune, and probably some of the words to the title song of the 1954 film of the same name. It was sung by Bing Crosby and we have it on an old vinyl record that occasionally is played during the Christmas season. This is the time when familiar songs can be heard on the television, radio, in shops, on your mobile devices and in the streets, about sleighs, bells, a bearded man in a red suit and that solitary partridge in his pear tree. There are many to choose from and again I’m confident that some will know the tunes and accompanying words.
Music is powerful. It can stir emotions, cheer you up, help you relax or just be a part of the background to your daily life. You may have been fortunate to have heard one of the great voices of our age singing, the human voice is a wonderful instrument, or perhaps been with a mass of others singing songs to rouse the efforts of your favourite team. I remember once someone telling me that he had been out on a military exercise and at the day’s end had to march back to their camp. They were tired after the day’s effort but were met, whilst still having some way to go, by a pipe band. When the music struck up, it lifted their spirits and drove away their fatigue just when it was needed. I enjoy traditional folk dance music, it makes the feet tap for the same reason.
At Christmastime we have some particular songs, or as they are better known as, carols. Many of those are based around traditional tunes, but perhaps what are more important are the words and the stories they tell. They begin with a baby, named Jesus, being born in a stable, of shepherds being frightened by an angel who tells them to leave their flocks and go to see the baby and of wise men (or kings) coming from afar to bring precious gifts. You may choose to believe the stories, or perhaps not, it is entirely up to each of us to make up our own minds. Much has been spoken and written about this by many learned people for over 2000 years and that will continue, so we are in good company.
Of course the story did not end there and continued as the baby grew into a man, who gathered friends around him, who taught them and others, leading to another story that we Christians know as Easter, but that is for another time.
2015 has been a year of change in our SCAN parish. Mandy has moved on, Pam, Robert and John plus other clergy have continued to care for us spiritually as we progress our search for our new church leader. We pray that by this time next year that will be resolved. In the meantime I wish you a Happy Christmas and a Good New year.
Churchwarden, David
FROM THE PARISH REGISTERS
Funerals
RIP Sandra Gasson of North Crawley whose cremation took place on 21st September followed by a memorial service in church.
RIP Arthur Allen Read of North Crawley whose cremation took place on 25th September followed by a memorial service in church.
‘I am the resurrection and the life’ says the Lord.
‘Those who believe in me, even though they die will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die’
SERVICES
DECEMBER
6 December
10.30am‘Something Different’ – Sherington
13 December
9.30amHoly Communion – North Crawley
3pmEvensong with Carols - Chicheley
20 December
9.30amMorning Worship (Brownie Pack Parade)
24 DecemberChrismas Eve
5pmCandlelight Service – North Crawley
11.30pmChristmas Night Holy Communion - Sherington
25 DecemberChristmas Day
9.30amFamily Service – Sherington
11amHoly Communion (Traditional form) – Chicheley
27 December
9.30amHoly Communion – St Peter and St Paul’s Newport Pagnell
JANUARY
3 January
10.30am‘Something Different’ - Sherington
10 January
9.30amHoly Communion – North Crawley
6pmEvensong - Chicheley
17 January
9.30amHoly Communion – Sherington
24 January
11amHoly Communion – Chicheley
6pmEvensong – North Crawley
31 January
11amSongs of Praise – Sherington
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‘Souper’ Lunchtime Get-together
Scan fellowship, a fortnightly chance to enjoy a simple lunch together
Pam and John Fielding
4 Griggs Orchard Sherington
01908 616763
12pm – 2pm Wednesdays
2 December (Holy Communion at 11.30am)
16 December Soup Group Christmas Nibbles
All ages welcome (children too!)
‘Something Different’ – a unique church experience at St Laud’s
‘Something Different’ is held in an informal environment in which our ‘God’ questions and thoughts are positively encouraged. Join us for fascinating presentations, prayers, songs and hymns (all the words are on a screen!) – with activities suitable for ages 1 to over 100! There is something for everyone. If you would like to explore the Christian faith with other Christians full of questions too, in a group held in church but not so rigid, where children feel welcome, then do join us. Give it a try. We are an evolving group of existing and new churchgoers all looking for ‘Something Different’ from our church experience. Join us on the first Sunday of each month from 10:30am (for refreshments) until 11:30am. We would love to see you there!
Bulb Planting at St Laud’s Church – many thanks to everyone who turned out on that rainy weekend to plant miniature narcissus bulbs in the church yard. There are still some holes that need bulbs in, so if you were unable to support this fundraiser before, please pop along to the church porch to select your bulbs and plant them in time for next Spring’s glorious spectacle! Thank you!
St Laud’s Church cleaning – do you have a little time to spare to help us to keep our church clean? There’s a job rota on the notice board in the kitchen – choose a job, leave the date and your name it was done so that the next kind volunteer knows what is left to do. Your help is very much appreciated. Ring Paula on 01908 216925.
A
STWOOD
As the end of another year fast approaches I find myself thinking about the year that has just gone and what the coming year will bring. Astwood has seen quite a few new arrivals in 2015, and it’s great to see some new faces and young families in the village. Who can forget the immensely entertaining (and fiercely fought over!) music quiz held in the pub in April, it brought out the true competitive spirit of the village and along with the great success of the Harvest Supper auction, made a substantial contribution towards the running of the Village Hall and Green.
The last event of the year is the lovely Christmas Carol evening being held this year in the Old Swan on Tuesday 22nd December, 7pm. The Sherington Folk Band will be joining us, along with the Newport Pagnell Singers, for a festive sing song to get us all in the mood for Christmas. We also have a charity raffle on the night. If anyone in the village would like to run this raffle for a charity of their choice they are very welcome to do so, just let us know at the email address below and we would be delighted to help. If anyone has a raffle prize that they can donate we would be very grateful, please just bring it along on the evening. The tickets are just £5 and include a glass of mulled wine and a delicious mince pie or two; children are very welcome and are free.
Tickets are available from Bob & Janet in the pub or via the new Astwood Village Hall telephone number and email:
or call 07507 764648. We look forward to seeing you all there!
The Village Hall Committee is always looking for help. The time commitment is very small; we hold three events a year in the village and meet a maximum of six times a year only. All the money raised by the committee is put towards the upkeep of the Village Hall and the Village Green. Apart from some funding given to us from the Parish Council all other costs have to be met from the funds raised and I for one wouldn’t want to see the hall or green fall into disrepair. In fact you may have seen that the Village Hall has two lovely new windows and is about to get a lick of paint in the coming weeks, all paid for from the funds we raise. So if you have a bit of community spirit and feel that you can spare a bit of time during the year, we would love you to join us. The next Village Hall Committee meeting is on the 24th February 2016, 8pm in the pub (an added bonus!). Just come along on the evening or email us if you want any further information.
We were all sad to hear the news that Sheila Hodgkins passed away in September. She lived in the village for over 56 years with her husband Hubert (Bert) and their
three daughters. Along with her friends in the village she worked hard to keep the Village Hall and AstwoodChurch going and keep them open for all to use. She organised many fundraising events and those that were in the village at that time have lots of fond memories of children’s fancy dress parades and jumble sales in the Village Hall. Together with Bert they were part of the team of volunteers who put Scan through the letterboxes of Astwood. Sheila was a talented singer and sang with the Newport Pagnell Singers. Sheila and Hubert moved to Willington, Beds in 2008 to live near their eldest daughter Susan. Hubert sadly died in June 2013.
Her funeral was held in St Lawrence Church, Willington in October. Our thoughts are with all her family.
We would like to welcome Andy, Natalie and their daughters who have recently moved to their new house on Main Road. We hope that your move went well and you enjoy your first Astwood Christmas.
So all that is left to say, is a very Happy Christmas and Merry New Year to all Scan readers and Astwood and Hardmead villagers. Here’s to a great 2016!
Cuckoo
C
HICHELEY SCAN Notes for December and January 2015
I may be tempting fate here, but so far the weather in November has been remarkably warm with no frost, at least in Chicheley, as yet. Abigail did not deliver her full force to us, the same cannot be said in other parts of the UK. We have friends, one of who used to play the fiddle for our harvest suppers in Chicheley, who have just moved to the Orkney Isles. What a welcome Abigail has given them. I read somewhere that back in 1946 there was a similar mild November which was then followed in 1947 with one of the nastiest winters in recent memory, let’s hope that does not occur again.
On the 7th November James Ruck-Keene and Rebecca Seaman were married at St. Cuby’s Church, Duloe in Cornwall. They are now living at Home Farm in Chicheley and we wish them a long and happy life together.
On the 8th November a poppy wreath was laid at the village war memorial by Chris Errington, the short service being conducted by John Fielding, with around 25 villagers, past and present, attending, with the service then continuing in the church.
If you enjoy singing carols come along to ChicheleyChurch on Sunday 13th December at 3pm for an evensong with carols followed by light refreshments in the church. On Christmas Day our service of Holy Communion is at 11.00am, you will be most welcome.
ChichChat should be on as usual on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday mornings in the village hall from 10.30 am until noon in December and January. There will be a social evening in the village hall on Saturday 19th December from 7.30pm. We hope to have the handbells, you will be welcome to try your hand at this traditional pursuit, by ringing some carols and Christmas songs. As in previous years bring along some food to share and eat, liquid refreshments will also be available. On the 23rd January we will once again be celebrating Burns Night in the village hall with the usual menu. If you would like to attend please let me know.